Effective description of the impact of inhomogeneities on the movement of the kink front in 2+1 dimensions.

In the present work we explore the interaction of a quasi-one-dimensional line kink of the sine-Gordon equation moving in two-dimensional spatial domains. We develop an effective equation describing the kink motion, characterizing its center position dynamics as a function of the transverse variable. The relevant description is valid both in the Hamiltonian realm and in the nonconservative one bearing gain and loss. We subsequently examine a variety of different scenarios, without and with a spatially dependent heterogeneity. The latter is considered both to be one dimensional (y independent) and genuinely two dimensional. The spectral features and the dynamical interaction of the kink with the heterogeneity are considered and comparison with the effective quasi-one-dimensional description (characterizing the kink center as a function of the transverse variable) is also provided. Generally, good agreement is found between the analytical predictions and the computational findings in the different cases considered.

Kink-inhomogeneity interaction in the sine-Gordon model.

In the present study the interaction of a sine-Gordon kink with a localized inhomogeneity is considered. In the absence of dissipation, the inhomogeneity considered is found to impose a potential energy barrier. The motion of the kink for near-critical values of velocities separating transmission from barrier reflection is studied. Moreover, the existence and stability properties of the kink at the relevant saddle point are examined and its dynamics is found to be accurately captured by effective low-dimensional models. In the case where there is dissipation in the system, below the threshold value of the current, a stable kink is found to exist in the immediate vicinity of the barrier. The effective particle motion of the kink is investigated obtaining very good agreement with the result of the original field model. Both one and two degree-of-freedom settings are examined with the latter being more efficient than the former in capturing the details of the kink motion.

The study of the roundness and cylindricity deviations of parts produced with the use of the additive manufacturing.

The paper is dedicated to the evaluation of the accuracy of rotary parts produced with the use of advanced manufacturing technology. The authors investigated the impact of the layer thickness of the applied material and the orientation of the model when printing using the PolyJet method™ on the geometrical quality of manufactured products. To analyze the influence of the assumed factors on the geometrical quality of the holes, a novel evaluation method has been developed. The proposed method takes into account parameters such as roundness deviation, profile irregularity coefficient, dominant harmonic component of the roundness profile, cylindricity deviation, diameter error, and surface topography parameters. The study presented in this paper had two main objectives. The former was to analyze the impact of the layer thickness of the applied material and the orientation of the model when printing using the PolyJet method™ on the geometrical quality of rotary parts. The latter objective was to test a novel, multi-parametric method of evaluation of the accuracy of produced parts in practice. The results obtained by the authors prove that the new evaluation method can be useful in the assessment of the accuracy of manufactured products.

Effect of TENS on pain relief in patients with degenerative disc disease in lumbosacral spine.

BACKGROUND: The study sought to evaluate the impact of long-term TENS therapy on pain relief in patients with degenerative disc disease in the lumbosacral spine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study involved 39 patients with lumbosacral pain who were receiving treatment in the Regional Hospital No 2 in Rzeszów and in Winsen Hospital. The experimental group consisted of 16 patients who were fitted with L-S orthoses with a built-in OmniTens plus mini-device for long-term application (3 times a day, for 20 minutes) of TENS currents with a frequency of 35 Hz and impulse duration of 150µsec. The control group consisted of 23 patients who received conventional TENS therapy once a day for 20 minutes, with a frequency of 35 Hz and impulse duration of 150 µsec. The results were assessed with the Oswestry Questionnaire, a visual analogue scale (VAS), as well as Schober's Test. Tests were performed before and on completion of the therapy. RESULTS: All participants reported pain relief and improved spinal function and mobility. Statistically significant differences were obtained in the group of patients treated with low frequency pulsed TENS currents administered via the orthosis. CONCLUSIONS: 1. TENS therapy contributed to pain relief and improvement of function and mobility of the lumbosacral spine 2. Representing an appropriate and effective technique, TENS stimulation via an orthosis should be more commonly prescribed.